The Talking Berry Farm: May 2015

Beautiful, sunny spring. I feel like this plant, just soaking in the sunshine!

Everything is growing!! The warmth of the sunshine has finally won the victory over winter's chilly reign, and everything rejoices! Birds sing, plants sprout, animals stretch out to soak up the warmth. People smile and greet each other with cheer again. Color comes back to the pale landscapes. Ahhh, spring...

For a farmer, spring is like the sound of a starter pistol. As winter draws to an end, we're ready...waiting...envisioning how we're going to win the sprint of spring. We watch the snow melt. The ground begins to thaw as the sun slowly gains heat. And suddenly we're off. It's a race to ready the fields, plant the new crops, and outsmart the rain. Rain is the mental challenger. It's like the stack of chance cards in Monopoly that advances you to go and you collect $200, or sends you directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200. Timing of the rain can make or break planting season, and determines when to plant, how well the plants grow and if they dry out or drown. Then lambing hits and the flock increases daily. Checking ewes and lambs is a constant task. Then as quickly as it started, lambing is done, and planting is over. The sprint of spring changes to a marathon of summer - a marathon that lasts until frost. Weeding, pruning, rotating sheep, farmer's markets, keeping equipment running, harvesting, and preserving the bounty.

Here are some pictures from the start of our season. We're off and running!

Even though it's been a dry spring, there's always mud somewhere. Gotta love our work truck.

All the equipment needs going over after hibernating for the winter.

Starting the process of making more beds for our berry plants this year.

What in this picture doesn't belong?? Right...the low rider Scion in the background. We surprised ourselves with this choice, but it's great for mileage, kids, and farmer's markets, not to mention it's a fun little 5 speed to drive!